OKSANA SLASTONENKO

Finding Hope at Highline After Wartime

Even in the most difficult times, Oksana Slastonenko found that with hope, support, and inner strength, she could keep moving forward.

The hospitality and tourism student was evacuated from her hometown of Irpin, Ukraine, at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. She said Ukrainian troops helped her family reach safety via a treacherous route that became known as the “Road of Life and Death.”

Slastonenko immigrated to Washington state to be close to her daughter and grandchild. Now residing in Anacortes, north of Seattle, she’s pursuing an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management (HOST) online, and is set to graduate in June.

Having experienced war and also the death of her young son—a talented Ukrainian writer—Slastonenko said she has firsthand knowledge of a person's ability to heal after living through traumatic circumstances.

“It opened my heart to deeper, more meaningful relationships,” Slastonenko said, noting how trauma caused her to rethink the very concept of loss, leading to a positive transformation of “life, choice, responsibility and love.” She reflected that everyone has experiences of pain, loss, and disruption, and that it “inevitably raises questions about who we choose to become after what we’ve experienced.”

Adjusting to life in the U.S., Slastonenko said learning English as a new language has been one of the biggest challenges, requiring patience, practice, and determination. She said thanks to the support of Professor Tetyana Matsyuk and Professor Justin Taillon, she was able to start her studies with a beginner level of English.

“Their mentorship went far beyond the classroom; it has had a significant impact on my life. I feel incredible gratitude that I had the opportunity to learn from them,” she said.

The HOST Ukrainian Bridge program at Highline prepares Ukrainian students for careers in the service and hospitality industry, with classes held in Ukrainian and English. On top of her coursework, Slastonenko tutors her fellow Ukrainian students in the program. She said the position allows her to contribute to the development of the hospitality and tourism industry while sharing her experiences and supporting others. “I truly love my work.”

Referring to the diversity of the student body at Highline College, Slastonenko said it has allowed her to promote and celebrate Ukrainian culture. “Being surrounded by people from different backgrounds has helped me grow and feel connected,” she added.

For those who have experienced trauma, Slastonenko recommends a book titled, “Transformed by Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth,” by Richard J. Tedeschi and Brett A. Moore, co-authored with Ken Falke and Josh Goldberg. It contains key ideas that helped with her own healing process. 

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